There was little real momentum early in the match, with the game stalled in the opening term after Vic Country's Darcy Lang went down with a serious left ankle injury.

Lang was carted off on a stretcher, with Country management confirming a fractured ankle for the likely draftee who was taken to hospital for scans.

After the delay, Metro's midfield, comprising likely high draft pick Josh Kelly (24 disposals and six tackles) and prolific on-baller Mitch Honeychurch (23 possessions, seven tackles and six clearances) managed to get on top.

Burly half-forward Ben Lennon presented well and skipper Luke McDonald, North Melbourne's father-son in waiting, controlled the back half for Metro.

Country battled manfully, but could not match the intensity of their Victorian rivals.

Midfielder Lewis Taylor did his best to kick-start Country with some damaging runs on his way to a game-high 32 touches, while Matt Crouch (27) and Nick Holman (19) were also among their side's best players.

Zac Merrett, the brother of Essendon's Jackson, also used his precision kicking to advantage on a number of occasions.